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Winemaker's Notes

Côte-Rôtie is situated in the northernmost region of the Rhône Valley. The Syrah (96%) vine is planted on steep terraced hillsides which catch and focus the sun's heat, giving the region its reputation and name: "roasted slope." A small percentage of Viognier (4%) is interplanted with the Syrah, and the two are harvested and fermented together, giving the wine more elegance and lightness.

Critical Acclaim

RP94

The Wine Advocate - "Possessing additional richness, the 2009 Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde boasts rocking cassis, scorched earth and chocolate to go with more classic cured meats, mineral and violet-like nuances that emerge with time in the glass. Full-bodied, gorgeously pure, with a core of sweet fruit, it too will totally thrill over the coming decade or more. "

WS93

Wine Spectator - "A rich, fleshy style, offering pastis-soaked plum, blackberry and currant fruit at the core, backed by ganache and singed juniper notes that add texture and length on the finish, with a terrific iron spine. Should age nicely. Best from 2015 through 2030."

ST92

International Wine Cellar - "Opaque ruby. Smoky raspberry, cherry and violet aromas are lifted and sharpened by a suave Indian spice note. Sappy and broad in the mouth, offering sweet red and dark berry flavors and a touch of fruitcake. Warm yet lively, finishing with excellent thrust, supple tannins and persistent spiciness. Philippe Guigal noted that he won't be surprised if this wine never really shuts down."

E. Guigal Winery

The Guigal domain was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in the ancient village of Ampuis, home of the wines of the Côte-Rôtie. In these vineyards that are over 2400 years old, you can still see the small terraced walls characteristic of the Roman period. Etienne Guigal arrived in this region in 1923 at the age of 14. He made wine for over 67 vintages and, at the beginning of his career, participated in the development of the Vidal-Fleury establishment.

Despite his young age, Marcel Guigal took over from his father in 1961 when the latter was victim to a brutal illness rendering him blind. Marcel's hard work and perseverance enabled the Guigals to buy out Vidal-Fleury in 1984, although the establishment retains its own identity and commercial autonomy. In 2000, the Guigals purchased the Jean-Louis Grippat estate in Saint-Joseph and Hermitage, as well as the Domaine de Vallouit in Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage.

In the cellars of the Guigal estate in Ampuis, the northern appellations of the Rhône Valley are produced and aged. These are the appellations of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage. The great appellations of the Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Tavel and Côtes-du-Rhône, are also aged in the Ampuis cellars.
View all E. Guigal Wines

About Cote Rotie

The Rhone appellation furthest north, the translation of Cote Rotie is "roasted slope," named after the region's very steep, south facing slopes that have ideal exposure to the sun. There are two main slopes, Cote Brunes & Cote Blondes. They are just as they sound, with the darker Brunes soils consisting of rich clay and iron, producing firm and robust wine. The lighter soils of the Blondes slope contain more slate and limestone, making elegant and soft wine. Wine can be from one designated slope, or a blend of both – the label will designate which it is.

Notable Facts

Like all Northern Rhone appellations, Syrah is the only grape allowed in Cote-Rotie. However, Cote-Rotie allows up to 20% of the more aromatic and elegant white grape, Viognier, to be blended into the red wines. From the Cote-Blondes slope, the grape makes no single-varietal white wines, it's only used to blend. In fact, no white wines at all come from Cote-Rotie. The reds, from both slopes, are marked for being elegant and complex, as well as ageworthy.

About France - Other regions

When it comes to wine, France is a classic. Classic blends, grapes and styles began in the country and they still remain. Think about it - people ask for a Burgundian style Pinot Noir, they refer to wines as Bordeaux or Rhone blends - Champagne even had to pass a law to stop international wineries from putting their region on the label of all sparkling wine.

The top regions of France are: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Languedoc-Roussillon, Loire, Rhone. And these regions are so diverse! It makes sense that wine regions throughout the world try to emulate their style. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and
Syrah are no longer French varieties, but international varieties. They may not be the leader of cutting edge technology or value-priced wines, but there is no doubt that they are still producing wines of great quality and diversity.

La Turque is Guigal's latest addition to the single vineyard Côte Rôties, acquired in 1985. It is also the smallest,
with just under a hectare planted to 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier. Situated on a vertiginous slope in the center ...

Guigal's Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde is a wine of finesse and complexity that ages beautifully, developing aromas and flavors
of black pepper, spice, licorice, and game. It is one of the great wines of the world.

Alcohol By Volume Guide

Most wine ranges from 10-16% alcohol by volume. Some varietals tend to have higher (for example Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon) or lower alcohol levels (Pinot Noir and many white varietals), but there is always some variation from producer to producer. Some wine falls outside of this range, for instance Port weighs in closer to 20%, while Muscat and Riesling are usually a bit below 10%.

Wine Style Guide

Light & Fruity

Red wines that are more fruit-forward and lighter in tannin and body.

Smooth & Supple

Medium bodied reds that go down easy, with smooth tannins and supple fruit.